Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker has issued a chilling message to Week 1 rivals, the Green Bay Packers, telling them flat-out that he doesn’t like them.
The meeting between the two NFL franchises is a century-old rivalry, with the first game dating back to Nov. 27, 1921. Since then, the Packers boast a 105–95–6 record over Chicago and are currently on an eight-game win streak.
Bears safety Brisker is yet to taste victory over the Packers, having also missed last year’s Green Bay game at Soldier Field with a concussion. But Brisker has a message for the Packers, who will be without Aaron “I own you” Rodgers, after the quarterback left for the New York Jets.
“I’m waiting. I’m itching. It’s Packers week, so I know it’s going to be live in the stadium. You know, fans everywhere. It’s going to be loud,” Brisker said. “People hate Green Bay. I hate Green Bay. So, I can’t wait. They didn’t get to see me last year; They gon’ get to see me this year, though.”
Brisker will have to shake off a late preseason injury scare in order to take part in the Sept. 10 NFL opener. Brisker had an undisclosed injury. “A lot better than two weeks ago,” Brisker said when asked how he was feeling. “I couldn’t really do too much. It really wasn’t looking promising, but now, I’m looking forward to Wednesday. It’s going to be a big day for me.”
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has given an insight into how he plans to manage the 24-year-old’s latest injury knock. “It’s just wait and see,” Eberflus said. “How does rehab go this weekend? Because he’s doing something every day. He’s doing something Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and into Tuesday, and we’ll see where it goes. And then when you get the pads on and start cracking and doing full-speed movements, then we’ll see where it is.”
Brisker being fit and ready to play would be a huge boost to the Bears. As a 2022 rookie, Brisker made 104 tackles, four sacks and an interception while starting 15 games. The safety is also emerging as a dressing room leader, who isn’t scared to speak his mind.
The Bears last reached the postseason in 2020. That’s something Brisker hopes to change. Brisker has instructed his coaches to “use me, like a lot”. He said in July: “Yeah just playing both sides, playing free safety, strong safety, just being moved around, being involved, playing low, playing high,” Brisker said. “Getting more blitzes, getting my name called more, things like that that I’ve been doing all my life.
“Nothing should change. They should use me. Like, use me, like a lot. Like a bar of soap. Like literally, like Dove. Like, use me. You know what I mean? Like literally. So just use me like I’ve always been.
“Just move me around. Let me help my teammates, let us help us win. That’s why I’m here. To win games, to go to the playoffs and win a Super Bowl.”
